FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN FOR TRAVEL EXPENSES FROM BOTSWANA TO ITALY FOR HEAVY METAL BAND WRUST TO PLAY LIVE AT METAL FESTIVAL IN MILAN 

Hello everybody!

We are three filmmakers (Raffa, 31 and Alessio, 27 from Italy and Natalia, 25 from Greece) based in London. We all have a strong educational background in cinematography studies and professional experience in both fictional and documentary cinema. 

We are currently in Gaborone, Botswana, where we are going to stay until the 13th of May, to film the documentary March of the Gods: Botswana Metalheads on the local heavy metal scene and the story of Wrust, one of the predominant local bands. The documentary aims to bring to light an emerging musical subculture blending the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, African tradition and Biker and Cowboy fashion and an unexpected point of view on Africa, a continent which is often misconceived.

We recently managed to get the band an invitation to play at SoloMacello, an independent heavy metal festival in Milan, Italy, on the 26th of June. Wrust will have the exciting opportunity to be the first metal band from Botswana to play in a major European festival along with international acts (this year the main act is going to be Red Fang). The live concert of the band in Italy is going to be an important part of the documentary and closing scene of the film. 

This project has been so far self-funded with our personal savings, that have covered the travel expenses of the crew to Botswana and additional technical gear to our existing equipment. This campaign aims to cover the travel expenses of the band to Italy, which are estimated to be around 1,000 euros per head (for the 4 members of the band) for a return flight from Gaborone to Milan. Accommodation will be provided to the band by the organisers of the festival. 

If you help us make the dream of this concert and final scene of the documentary come true you will have the opportunity to watch our film before it is even released and watch loads of behind the scenes and extras footage that are never going to be made public!

If we don't reach our entire goal but get close to the target we will do anything possible to reach the amount needed for the flight tickets. If we don't get close to the target the funds will be used to create an impeccable press kit and for the marketing and distribution of the documentary.

This project is important because we believe that it can help eradicate some misconceptions about modern Africa. The three of us have valuable experience in documentary filmmaking and have worked on a wide range of social and cultural topics such as climate change, clown therapy, male prostitution, video game addiction, alternative travel and the financial crisis and our work has gained global exposure in major festivals.  

Please contribute to make 7 people happy (4 musicians and 3 filmmakers!) and the entire world more conscious of the emerging subcultures in Africa. And last but not least, please spread the word, share the campaign on Facebook and like our Facebook page to stay updated: www.facebook.com/botswanametalheads